Google Allo to shut down in March of 2019

Several months after “pausing investment” in the service, Google is officially shutting down Allo, its messaging rival to Apple iMessage, Facebook Chat, WhatsApp and others. The search giant made the news official in a Tuesday blog post, and says that the app will work through March of 2019. Until then, users will be able to export their existing conversation history. “We’ve learned a lot from Allo, particularly what’s possible when you incorporate machine learning features, like the Google Assistant, into messaging,” the post reads, adding that focus will now shift to Messages, Google’s Android-based messaging app. That comes with a focus on RCS, which is set to give Android users advanced messaging features like read receipts and higher-resolution image sharing capabilities. Additionally, Google will continue to support Hangouts for group chat and Duo for video chat. “We’re excited by the progress we’ve made with our communications experience over the past few years, and ready to take what we’ve learned from Allo and put it to work to make Messages even better,” Google’s news post reads. “And by refocusing on Messages and Duo for consumers and Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet for team collaboration, we’re focused on delivering a simpler and more unified communications experience for all of you.”